ETNA GREEN — During the Etna Green Town Council meeting held last night, July 19, it was announced that the town will be leasing an outage avoidance system. The technology will help discover bad connection areas in utility lines that would otherwise go unnoticed.

The city will be leasing the equipment with Breman, Argos and Columbia City. By leasing together, each town was able to receive a lower cost. Etna Green’s cost will be $5,083.33. The town started looking into this solution after receiving complaints of bad cable service in the area.

It’s believed that by fixing any bad connection areas, Etna Green will have better communications and power connection. This technology has never been used by the town. Based on how beneficial the first time use is, the town may consider leasing again every 5-10 years.

The board approved leasing the equipment.

Fire Chief Randy Byrer asked about the possibility of installing a communications repeater on top of the water tower. He stated that currently there are dead spots in the area and a repeater would allow better communication with dispatch and within the local fire department.

Currently Fourway Communications has a contract for the top of the water town. Town council members were unsure if another piece of equipment would be allowed on the water tower. The board decided to table this idea and look into Fourway’s contract and the regulations for water towers.

In other news:

• An employee cell phone stipend ordinance was approved. Full-time town employees will be given $50 per month for their cell phone usage.
• The town needs to recommend a member for the county multi-hazard planning team. The date and time of the meetings were unknown so the issue was tabled until more information can be obtained.
• Seven residents were given utility adjustments for various reasons totaling $224.45.
• The board approved selling an unused water reel sprinkler to Bourbon High School.